Shoppers support Long Beach mom and pop shops on Small Business Saturday

LONG BEACH - Droves of holiday shoppers flocked to big box retailers for Black Friday super deals, but on Saturday, small businesses celebrated their own holiday.

Introduced by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to patronize small businesses and support their local economy. The day occurs the Saturday after Black Friday and precedes Cyber Monday, which is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.

From downtown to Belmont Shore and Bixby Knolls, dozens of area businesses offered special Saturday deals in an attempt to lure holiday shoppers.

"I think more and more people are wanting to support small businesses and shop local," said Steve Morris, owner of Xcape, a vintage furniture store. "Long Beach residents really prefer to stay and shop in their neighborhoods instead of driving out of down."

Morris, a Long Beach resident, opened his furniture store 18 years ago with help from a city grant. Nine years ago he moved to Retro Row, an eclectic mix of vintage and new shops along Fourth Street between Cherry and Junipero avenues.

"It's wonderful that I'm still in business in Long Beach after 18 years, and that's definitely thanks to the community," he said.

More than 100 million people shopped at independently-owned small businesses in 2011, and the numbers were expected to grow this year, according to the United States Small Business Administration.

Overall holiday sales were also expected to grow.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) projects a 4.1 percent increase in Black Friday sales this year, for a total of $586 billion. NRF is expected to release the results of its annual Black Friday survey on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 10:30 a.m.

Some analysts have said the numbers could be bigger than expected.

A report released Saturday from INRIX, a Washington-based provider of traffic information and driver services, showed that traffic congestion around the nation's busiest shopping centers on Black Friday increased by 33 percent compared to 2011.

The country's top three busiest shopping centers were the Mall of America in Minnesota, which saw traffic congestion jump 23 percent; King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania, which saw traffic increase 17 percent; and Palisades Center in New York, where traffic increase 4 percent. The only California mall to make the top 10 list was Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, which saw traffic congestion jump nearly 60 percent.

While the deals at big stores drew millions of eager customers, others said they're put off by the crowds and congestion.

Strolling along Retro Row on Saturday, San Diego residents Scott and Tascha Hedenkamp said they prefer the mom and pop shops.

"We like the vintage shops, it's a great way to support your community," Tascha Hedenkamp said. "I can't do Black Friday. It's just too much."